DIAMONDS AND DECEPTION

DIAMONDS AND DECEPTION Chapter 1: The Gilded Cage A black Maybach pulled up to the front of the Harrington Tower. When the door opened, Damson Harrington stepped out, and the busy sidewalk seemed to go quiet. He was a very tall man with broad shoulders. He wore a dark, expensive suit that fit him perfectly. He didn't wear a tie, leaving his collar open just enough to look both powerful and a little dangerous. His hair was dark and combed back, and his face was made of sharp lines and a strong jaw. But it was his eyes that stopped people—they were a cold, piercing grey that made his employees look at the floor when he walked by. Damson didn't look at anyone. He walked straight through the glass doors and into the private elevator. His office was on the very top floor. It was huge, with white marble floors and walls made almost entirely of glass. From his desk, he could see the whole city, but today he wasn't looking at the view. He had a billion-dollar deal to finish. In the glass-walled meeting room, five men including his father, Charles Harrington were in expensive suits and they were waiting for him. They kept on checking their watches with bold faces. Damson walked in and sat at the head of the long table. He didn't say "hello." He just opened a folder and looked at them with his cold, grey eyes. The meeting held for 30 minutes, it was peaceful with no arguments. The men left the meeting room including Charles, leaving Damson alone. Damson's secretary walked into the meeting room. “Your father wants you in his office immediately sir”. Damson frowned. “You can leave”. Damson sighed in frustration because he was sick and tired of his father pressuring him to get married and settle down. He stepped out of the meeting room, into the elevator then headed to his father's office. Charles Harrington was an older version of Damson, just as tall but with silver hair and an even colder heart.. “You came late, almost embarrassed in front of the board and made me look like a fool in my own damn company.” Charles said angrily, not giving Damson a chance to defend himself. “You better don't lose that contract because this is your only opportunity to gain loyalty and trust from this company.” Charles commanded. Damson leaned back. “I get the work done, Father. I put alot of effort into this company. I work my ass everyday for this company.” “That is none of my business. Just get the deal signed today.” “I will put more more effort and get the contract signed before the end of today.” Damson replied. His phone beeped and he received an email stating that the contract has been signed. “It's done.” “Good,but we have another problem. Your reputation. The board is tired of seeing photos of your cars parked outside different strip clubs at 3 in the morning. You’re the CEO of Harrington Tower, not a teenager.” “You need to be seen with the right people. There is a dinner tonight with the Moretti family. You will sit next to their daughter, Isabella. It’s time you settled down with someone of your own status. Damson, the ownership of the Harrington Tower goes to you when you're 30, and you are 29 for crying out loud. The terms and conditions states that you must be married before 30, before the ownership is handed over to you.” Damson felt a familiar tightness in his chest. “Father, I will get married at the right time. You cannot force me to get married to someone I barely even know just because I want to own and keep the company.” “The dinner is by 7 pm. Don't be late and be on your best behaviour”. Charles walked out, leaving Damson frustrated. The dinner at the Harrington's mansion was miserable. Damson sat under the bright crystal chandeliers, listening to Isabella talk about her latest trips to Paris, Brazil, name it all. She was beautiful, but she was just like everyone else in his world; Fake and boring . His father watched him like a hawk, making sure he smiled at the right times, observing him and ensuring he was in his best behaviour. Damson couldn't take it anymore. The walls felt like they were closing in. He stood up abruptly, nearly knocking over his wine glass. “Where are you going?” Charles hissed, his eyes narrowing. The Moretti family looked confused with Damson sudden behavior. “I’m done, this dinner is a waste of my time” Damson said shortly. He didn't want a "suitable" woman. He didn't want another business talk. He needed to clear his head. He was bored and unhappy even though he just got a billion dollar contract. “Where are my keys?”. He asked the valet. The valet handed him the keys. He stepped into his maybach. He drove fast, trees and lights going by fast in the streets of LA, exceeding the speed limit. He pulled up to a place called Club Eden. It was a club that his father would hate—loud, bright lights, smoky. Damson walked in, the heavy bass of the music thumping against his chest. He moved to a dark booth in the corner where no one would recognize him. A waitress brought him a bottle of strong whiskey. He poured a glass and downed it in one swig, hoping to drown out the sound of his father’s voice. Other girls performed on stage but Damson seemed uninterested in them. He just kept drinking. “And now”, the DJ's voice boomed over the loud speakers, “let's give it up for the sexy vixen, the one and only, Storm.” The lights turned blood red, the music changed into a sexy beat, with the crowd cheering loudly. Damson leaned back, expecting to see just another girl. But when she stepped onto the stage, he froze. He had never seen her before. He was eager to know who she was. She wore a black lace mask over her eyes. She spinned around the pole like a professional, twerking and dancing to the music. Money from customers flying over her, while she danced. For the first time all day, Damson wasn't bored. He leaned forward, his eyes locked on her. He had billions in the bank, but as he watched her move, he realized he had never seen anything quite so valuable. As she spun around the pole, she suddenly stopped and looked straight into the corner where Damson was sitting. Their eyes locked. Damson froze. Most people were too scared to look him in the eye for more than a second, but this girl didn't look away. Even with the mask on, her stare was powerful. It felt like she was looking right into his soul. For a few seconds, Damson forgot where he was. He forgot about his mean father and his boring office. It felt like he and the girl were the only two people in the world.She didn't look scared of him at all. Instead, she gave him a small, teasing smile while she kept dancing. Then, the song ended, and she walked off the stage, disappearing behind a curtain. Damson sat there in the dark, his heart beating fast. He had to know who she was. He stood up and headed for the manager’s office, ready to spend whatever it took to see her again.